THE MURDER AT REEFTON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 6061, 21 April 1881, Page 5

THE MURDER AT REEFTON.

FURTHER PARTICULARS. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWJ CORRESPONDENT.] Greymoutit, Wednesday. Further particulars have transpired respecting the murder case at Larry's Creek. The skull of deceased was so battered in as to expose the brain, and the splinters from the stock of the gun show the force of the blow. Considering the strength of the two men, McGahey being sft. lliii., and the desperate, struggle which must have taken place between them, and of which there was abundant evidence, it is thought that McGahey missed Bell when he fired on him while he was sitting in the barn beginning to milk, of which there was a cupful in the bucket. McGahey had been married about 14 years, without having cause to doubt his wife's fidelity. About two years ago it was rumoured that McGahey had been attempted to be poisoned, it being said that he had been very sick, and that fowls that eat the vomit had died ; but nothing came of the report. They had an adopted child, a girl, and soon after the poisoning affair Mrs. McGahey accused her husband of violating the girl. The medical examination obtained by the police showed that there was no truth in tho allegation. Mrs. McGahey soon after that began complaining of the hardship of her married life and the cruelty she was enduring. Then her sympathisers procured for her a situation, but she did not remain in it, and gave a very unsatisfactory reason for not doing so, and went back to her own house at Larry's Creek, but the next night it was burnt down. Then her statements as to the cause of the fire were again considered unsatisfactory, though the jury brought in an open verdict. Subsequently some friends got for her a respectable and suitable engagement with a private family, but she would not accept it, and placed herself under the protection of deceased, a single man. Then people began to revive the poisoning rumour, the charge of violating, and the burning down of the house, and attributed it to a desire that McGahey should not come back to the farm, which was mortgaged for more than its value. McGahey laid an information against Bell, when his wife sought Bell's protection, for stealing his property, but the charge was not upheld. The inquest was adjourned without taking evidence.